Container

ABSTRACT

A container for canned or bottled beverages in the form of a golf umbrella comprising a semi-circular elongate support member having a handle portion and a bottom portion attached thereto; a flexible circular elongate outer mantle is provided to form a circular cylindrical portion between the handle and bottom portion. An upper mechanism runs the full axial length of the outer mantle and provides access to the interior of the cylinder.

United States Patent Beaudin 45] June 13, 1972 CONTAINER [72] Inventor: Dale A. Beaudin, 1503 Hackett Street, Be-

loit, Wis. 53511 [22] Filed: July 2, 1970 211 App]. No.: 52,010

3,128,854 4/1964 Specht ....l90/4lZ 3/1896 Murray ..l50/52X Primary Examiner-Joseph R. Leclair Assistant ExaminerStephen P. Garbe Attorney-Dirk J. Veneman [57] ABSTRACT A container for canned or bottled beverages in the form of a golf umbrella comprising a semi-circular elongate support member having a handle portion and a bottom portion attached thereto; a flexible circular elongate outer mantle is provided to form a circular cylindrical portion between the handle and bottom portion. An upper mechanism runs the full axial length of the outer mantle and provides access to the inten'or of the cylinder.

3 Clains, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEnJun 13 I972 3,689,168

SHEET 10F 2 INVENIOR.

BY gym PATENTEBJUH 13 1912 3,569,168

sum 2 BF 2 INVENTOR.

CONTAINER This invention relates to a container for canned or bottled beverages such as beer, lemonade and fruit juices and more particularly the invention relates to a container of the above described type which has the outward appearance of an umbrella.

It has been desirable to outdoor sports enthusiasts to carry with them certain types of beverages in a handy container and to be able to keep such beverages cool for an extended period of time.

The container of the present invention satisfies the above requirements and has the additional desirable feature of an outward appearance resembling a golf umbrella.

It is accordingly an important object of the present invention to provide a container for canned or bottled beverages in which the beverages can be maintained at the proper temperature for consumption.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a container which is easily manufactured and which is durable and strong.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container in which canned or bottled beverages can be packed in ice and which includes a drain for removing water which accumulates in the container as the ice melts.

A feature of the present invention is a container for beverages which has the outward appearance and size of a golf umbrella and which can be easily carried in the existing space provided in a self-propelled golf cart or bag or a special attachment may be provided.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from time to time as this specification proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a longitudinal sectional view of the container of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevational-sectional view of the container illustrating the container filled with cans; and

FIG. 4 is an elevational-sectional view of the container illustrating the container filled with bottles.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the container of the present invention comprises an elongate semi-circular rigid metal support member 11. The member 11 comprises slightly less than 180 of the cross-sectional circumference of the container as shown in FIG. 2. Attached to the top and bottom portion of the member I1 are circular members 12 and 13. The members 12 and 13 may be attached to the metal support 11 in any suitable manner such as by gluing, nailing, screwing or welding. The portions of the members 12 and 13 adjacent to the metal support 11 contain recesses 14 and 15 which recesses extend around the entire periphery of the members 12 and 13 and are adapted to receive therein the outer mantle 16 of the container 10. Additional recess space is provided to receive the support member 11 which extends slightly less than 180 of the periphery of the container. The outer mantle 16 may be made of any suitable material and is preferably made out of waterproof cloth such as plasticized canvas. Other materials such as plastic may also be employed. The outer mantle 16 extends around the entire periphery of the members 12 and 13 and extends the full axial length of the support member I]. The members 12 and 13 together with the outer mantle 16 thus provide an elongate hollow cylinder of a diameter and length suitable for containing a number of cans or bottles and 5 a suitable quantity of crushed ice for maintaining the beverages contained in the bottles or cans at a temperature desirable for consumption. The support member 11 disposed between the members 12 and 13 provides the necessary rigidity for the entire assembly and maintains the original umbrella shape even though the container is empty. To ensure sufficient torsional rigidiiy of the assembl the outer edges 17 and 18 of the member 1 are folded bac on themselves to provide a bead as shown in the drawing.

To gain access to the elongate cylinder comprising the elements 1], l2, l3 and 16 a suitable zipper mechanism 17' is provided in the flexible member 16. The zipper 17 extends the full axial length of the member 16 and when opened provides for easy access to the container 10 to insert or remove cans or bottles.

Attached to the circular member 12 at the top of the coritainers is a handle 18. This handle 18 may be in the form of a rubber grip similar to those used on bicycles or golf carts and resembles the handle of an umbrella. A wrist strap 18a may be provided for extra emphasis.

Attached to the circular member 13 at the bottom of the container is a spout 19 in the form of an elongate cone. The spout 19 has an opening 20 there through which opening communicates with the interior of the container 10 by means of a connecting passage 21 provided in the member 13. The spout 19 may be in the form of a hollow cone as shown and a closure 22 may be provided to prevent leakage of water from the container 10. The closure 22 may be removed at appropriate times to drain excess water from the container. In another embodiment the spout 19 may be in the form of a conventional garden hose nozzle which may be opened and closed by a simple turning motion.

The invention has been described in detail with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described heretofore and as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A container comprising in combination an elongate semicircular relatively rigid support member having top and bottom end portions: I

a first circular member attached to the top end portion of said semi-circular member,

a second circular member attached to the bottom end portion of said semi-circular member, said circular member having an opening extending through the longitudinal axis thereof, and

a relatively flexible elongate circular outer mantle attached to said first and second circular members, said mantle having an elongate slit therein extending approximately the full axial length thereof and forming with said mem bers and said support member an elongate cylindrical container.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said first circular member has a handle attached thereto, said handle extending 0 axially of said member.

3. The structure of claim 2 including a zipper mechanism for opening and closing said elongate slot. 

1. A container comprising in combination an elongate semicircular relatively rigid support member having top and bottom end portions: a first circular member attached to the top end portion of said semi-circular member, a second circular member attached to the bottom end portion of said semi-circular member, said circular member having an opening extending through the longitudinal axis thereof, and a relatively flexible elongate circular outer mantle attached to said first and second circular members, said mantle having an elongate slit therein extending approximately the full axial length thereof and forming with said members and said support member an elongate cylindrical container.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said first circular member has a handle attached thereto, said handle extending axially of said member.
 3. The structure of claim 2 including a zipper mechanism for opening and closing said elongate slot. 